Georgia Representative Tommy Benton (R)

of the 31st House District

Email: Tommy Benton

Representative Tommy Benton is a 6th generation resident of Jackson County. He and his wife Karen Compton Benton have four children and one grandson named Samuel.

Benton is a 1968 graduate of Commerce High School from which he later progressed to West Georgia College, earning an AB in History. In 1983, he graduated from Brenau College with a Med in Middle School Education. He was employed by the Jackson County Board of Education teaching Georgia History and Gov't. American History from 1974 until 2004 when he retired. He presently works part time at McDonald Ace Hardware in Commerce, a position which he's held since 1975.

For the past 42 years, Representative Benton has been an active member of the First Methodist Church in Commerce. His public service to his community includes membership on the Jefferson Historic Preservation Commission for the past 10 years. He has been a Hunter Safety Instructor since 1984. In 1996, he served as the Treasurer for the Jackson County Bicentennial Committee.

Benton is a life member of the National Rifle Association and the Sons of Confederate Veterans. He is also active in the Military Order of the Stars and Bars, the Gainesville Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, and the Jackson County Historical Society.

The Freshman Legislator is a member of the Retirement and Transportation Committees as well as Secretary of the Education Committee.